Figment Photography is a wedding and portrait photography studio based out of Rockford, Illinois. Our website displays a selection of our photography work with weddings, engagements, families, and seniors. Our blog gives a deeper look at the individual sessions we shoot.

The other day a mom of young kids asked me if I dislike photographing families with toddlers and small children since they can be high energy (..her word was “insane”).

So I want to take a minute and assure every single parent of toddlers and small children that I LOVE photographing your family and kids and you’re not alone if (when) your child loses it! I’ve never had a shoot with littles where someone didn’t have at least a minor outburst and usually it’s a full blown meltdown. Because of that, here are a few thoughts for all the parents who are nervous that their kid might misbehave.

Your kids will have a meltdown. Just expect it.

Photos can be a lot for everyone and it’s totally normal for younger kids to be confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed. After all, they’re often being thrown into clothing they don’t like, in a place they don’t know, with a stranger in their face. You’re not the only family whose child just doesn’t want to cooperate.

That being said, there are definitely steps I take on my own and we can take together to minimize meltdowns.

Get excited! (and stop telling your kids to smile *please*)

Before the shoot, start talking positively about getting photos taken, about me, and about playing games as a family. We’ll spend a lot of time getting their wiggles out and playing with them, so get them excited about it! I’d much rather walk into a shoot with children who expect to be running around and playing than kids who have been told repeatedly that they need to smile for the camera. A really good sign is when your kids are jumping out of the car ready to play games.

2. Wait on the bribes

For real. Do not walk into the shoot with them expecting an incentive. Save it for later during the photos when we *start* to lose them partway through and then pull it out as a special surprise. “You guys are doing SO well. I think if we all keep listening we can ____!” (…go to Grandma’s house after/get ice cream/go to the park/etc.)

3. Your kids are emotional sponges. Stay upbeat.

This is not worth stressing yourself out over :) Everyone showing up in the pajamas they’ve been wearing for the past three days and happy is better than arriving in perfectly coordinated outfits and miserable (there’s a happy medium but you get the idea). Plan plenty of time to get everyone prepped and out the door so you’re not stressing yourself and the kids out. Turn on happy music on the way to your session. Try not to over schedule your day so you don’t feel rushed. If possible, everyone (mom included!) should try and take a quick rest before your shoot.

4. Everyone take a deep breath

When the first signs of a meltdown start appearing, the best step is to take a deep breath and distract instead of discipline. Sometimes being firm works, but during this brief time, it’s often better to first try and divert their attention if possible. The cooperating kids and grownups may take a step away and give the overwhelmed child/children a chance to readjust without everyone in their face. I’ll often take this opportunity to get a couple pictures of mom and dad in an area where we can keep an eye on the toddler/s but they don’t feel the pressure of having a camera on them. Snack time is also encouraged :)

5. Pick comfortable clothing

Familiarity can help minimize the stress that shoots can be. If they are being asked to wear clothes that are scratchy, tight, or fussy it can add to their frustration. Try and pick outfits that you know they already like or that they probably will like. In that same vein, pick your battles. Any other day, your parenting style may be more firm, but when it comes to your small children wearing shoes, hairbows, ties, or a totally different outfit, consider ceding this battle in order to keep everyone in an upbeat mood. Would you rather be chasing them around frustrated trying to get the accessories just right or allowing a little wiggle room so no one is in a puddle of tears when you arrive to your session?

6. Consider having your shoot at or outside your home

There are so many benefits to shooting at home with toddlers: accessibility to a bathroom, clothes to change into if they make a mess of their outfit, toys they love, and snacks. They’ll be in a familiar environment and you’ll be sure of their safety if they take off running.

7. Give me some space

I have plenty of experience photographing kids who really don’t want their photo taken. Usually it’s best when family members aren’t standing over my shoulder telling kids to smile or look at the camera. If I need that, I will totally ask for you to jump in and get them looking in the right direction, but sometimes they just need a minute to get oriented. Plus, this is a great opportunity to get some candid photos of your child.

8. Stop paparazzi-ing your kids

If there is one thing that tends to ruin kids for family sessions, it’s cell phones and cameras constantly in their face. This ESPECIALLY applies when you ask your kids to stop what they’re doing to smile for the camera. Your toddler/child may be reading quietly, playing sweetly with a friend, ready to jump in the pool and are asked to stop and smile. That’s a super quick way to create resentment in kids towards the camera. Instead, practice taking photos of your children in action and ask the people who frequently care for your kids to do the same (I’m speaking pretty directly about grandmas and caretakers who may love the idea of having lots of photos of the kids but aren’t familiar with the idea of “candid” ;) The camera to this generation of kids isn’t a way to save memories but something that constantly gets in between them and their real life playing and creating.

Finally, let your expectations go

At least while kids are young, family shoots take on a life of their own. Having high expectations of your toddler gently leaning against you as your preschooler sits quietly on their own and everyone is smiling just so is totally unrealistic. It’s gonna be a little crazy. Lean into it. If every single child wants to sit on your lap, we’ll work with it. If they all want to run as far away as possible, that’s cool too because we’re photographing personalities not mannequins.

Whether you’re taking your new DSLR, your smartphone, or a disposable point and shoot, a camera of some kind is almost definitely on your packing list. Below are some thoughts on how to make the most of whatever camera you bring along in two parts- general principles for being a great tourist photographer and how to tell the story of your trip.

Travel photographer principles

Understand Your Camera’s Limitations and Embrace Them

Unless you are taking a massive camera bag full of gear, don’t expect to get a prime shot in every situation. Most vacation days, I take my camera body and one favorite all-purpose lens (not a zoom lens). It’s easier on my back and less distracting both to me and everyone around me. I won’t have all the options that I would with all my gear but that’s okay. If I know I’m in a situation where I can’t get the shot I’d love, I either put my camera away or just grab a quick snapshot and then stow it so I can take it all in.

The important thing though is to know what your camera can and can’t do well. Embrace it for what it is rather than what you wish it were.

Negev Desert- it would have been great to have a long lens at the moment, but my standard lens did the job fine and it’s still a favorite memory

There are many times that my big camera just isn’t getting the photo that I’d love, which is when I pull out my iPhone. Sometimes I know that no matter what, I’m not going to get the shot and that’s okay so I don’t even bother. If you don’t often take photos in your day to day life, practice ahead of time with whatever camera you plan on bringing in different lighting conditions.

Quick iPhone shot in Jerusalem for the memory since my camera was at the hotel

Same day, totally different shot with my big camera

2. Be Thoughtful

To be honest I don’t care if I look a little like a tourist. I am on vacation. I am not from where I’m visiting and I’m not going to spend my whole time trying to look like I belong. (…I mean I’m not wearing Hawaiian print shirts, but I’m also not going to pretend my very American looking self isn’t a tourist). However, it’s a high priority that I don’t become a selfish tourist.

taking tourist-y photos because we ARE tourists

and so are most other people there :)

My camera (and phone) go in my bag until I’m sure I’m in a position where I can take photos without drawing too much attention to myself. I’m not going to push in front of a crowd to grab the shot or stand in the middle of a street and I try not to get distracted while taking a photo and lose the people I’m with.

No matter what, photos are a bonus, not the end-all be-all of your vacation.

Be courteous to the people you’re traveling with and to the local residents. If you’re not sure if taking a photo is okay either ask or put your camera away.

Birds generally don’t like their photo being taken. I don’t generally care :)

In places that are marked with “no photography” PUT YOUR CAMERA AWAY. In places that are quiet and contemplative or educational that don’t have a sign, put your camera away until you’re sure it won’t be disruptive and be sure your flash is off pretty much all the time everywhere.

Historic and religious locations often have a strict no photo policy inside. Photographing details outside can still capture the memory while remaining respectful of rules.

Many museums don’t allow photography inside, however this Russian art museum was flexible on their policy so I took full advantage.

Always be asking yourself, would it be better for my camera to be put away?

3. Be Friendly

It rarely hurts to be kind and friendly. I’m not saying you should get suckered into situations or put yourself in a place of vulnerability because you’re too kind, but being courteous to shop owners, gracious to waitstaff, and thoughtful to everyone you meet makes a difference. Not just because it’s the right thing to do (which it is, so you should anyway) but because you never know what neat opportunity is around the corner.

Super sweet Swiss juice bar owner

Free coffee from the hotel staff

When you genuinely take care of other people, they often return the favor. I’ve received free coffee and tea from hotel staff, had fun conversations with waitresses who recommend the next best place to visit in town, and gotten to photograph things that would otherwise have been closed off to me all because the highest priority was always people and not photos. Treating other people how you would want to be treated pays off with new acquaintances and experiences.

After we had already made a purchase, a super generous shop owner let us take a few photos in his hanging lamp store.

Capturing your vacation like a pro

Take photos like you’re telling a story.

Often you only start taking pictures once you get to your destination. Start thinking about the story you are telling from the moment you leave the house. Take photos in the car, at the airport, in the plane. Traveling is totally part of the vacation you’re taking and usually a really interesting part at that.

First shuttle ride through Istanbul

Waiting for our plane from Tel Aviv to the US

As you’re taking photos, imagine you’re going to show them as a slideshow to a friend later (but definitely don’t unless they ask.)- they aren’t seeing everything you are so give them context. Someday you’ll forget and the photos you have of small details won’t make sense and the photos you have of big general locations won’t be as meaningful without the details.

Coffee shop in Zurich

The latte I got at the coffee shop

To Tell the Story, Photograph: People, Places, & Details

• Places

It could seem obvious, but take photos of the places you’re at. You may think it will make you look like a tourist and y’know what, you’re right. But so is EVERYONE ELSE. Take a quick standard shot (it doesn’t have to be perfect, just clear) and then if you still want to have your camera out, look for ways to give it context. Whether it’s your coffee with the Eiffel Tower in the distance or the focus on little flowers with Swiss architecture in the background.

Standard shot of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

Lindsay inside the Hagia Sophia

Mosaic detail inside the Hagia Sophia

Cat in the courtyard of the Hagia Sophia

Take photos of your hotel room, of the restaurant you got breakfast at every day, of the little pier you sat on while you watched the sunset on the lake, not just the sunset.

Door County- the view

Door County- the travel crew

• People

Photograph people! But mostly the people you’re traveling with. Use them to give context, a unique perspective, and human warmth to the setting. They are equally part of the experience and story you’re telling.

Eden, Vermont

If you’re wanting to take a photo of a stranger’s face be absolutely sure it’s okay. A lot of people are very comfortable with their photo being taken, but you don’t want to get on the wrong side of that situation. Treat every situation as though no one wants their photo taken.

this photo is cool but scale isn’t clear

with a person at the bottom, you can see just how big the salt cliffs are

• Details

The little things really make a difference. Be the person taking photos of their food, of their coffee, of the colorful tiles on the buildings of the little plant growing out of the sidewalk. Appreciate every unique thing. It’s part of the joy of photography.

Lake Marie, Wyoming

detail at Lake Marie, Wyoming

The details tell the story just as much as the big things do.

2. Find Your Personal Project for the Trip

I’m always passionate about photographing animals (in particular cats because they just don’t care), plants, and architectural details on trips. They’re things that I can find at home but have subtle differences elsewhere. Telling the story of the trip through cats is 1. kind of humorous and 2. can give context to an otherwise boring scene

found my passion, followed it around the Mediterranean

actual photo I was taking

Find your passion and follow that for the trip. It could be the hands of people doing things throughout your visit, the interesting pieces of art in unusual places, your shoes in different places, a little miniature you bring along and photograph at every interval, everything you eat, interesting chairs, whatever. My personal project photos are often my favorite from trips because they’re 100% just for me. I know no one else would find them as interesting as I do, not even people who traveled with me.

3. Put Your Camera Away

Just do it. I’ve had nearly full days where I haven’t even pulled my camera out and activities that don’t have a single photo. Don’t let your camera hold you back from really enjoying the moment. If you’re worried about it getting wet, getting sandy, getting lost, dropped, or taken, just leave it. For real. You’ll remember the day just fine :)

Moscow traffic 1/10, Moscow skies 10/10

4. Print Your Photos

When it’s all over, take the time to organize and compile your photos (and maybe your travel buddy’s too) and print them out. Prints are good, albums are great. It’s so much more fun to look through an album of images than flip through your phone.

Most importantly, remember that you’re taking photos for yourself to hold onto memories. It isn’t about proving your creativity or showing other people how amazing your trip was or any other extraneous reasons. Let yourself enjoy your vacation (even if it means photographing cats the whole time!)

If we’re being honest, the days before your photo shoot can be extra stressful (… you wouldn’t believe how many shoots get cancelled because the toddler fell and scraped up their face or the baby got sick.) Keeping everyone looking healthy and happy is an event in itself.

Add to that the pressure of figuring out how to style the whole thing and it can be totally insane.

So, how do you self-style your family shoot to look like a total pro? It’s not as hard as you think!

Start with Your Living Room

Look at your decor style in your main living areas. The end goal with photos is not that they live on your computer or phone but on your walls, shelves, and coffee tables. With that in mind you don’t want your photos to clash with your decor so plan accordingly.

Great styling for a cozy, rustic home with warm tones and lots of color

Perfect in a minimalist, Scandinavian styled space based on a white and light neutral palette

2. Think Ahead with Seasons, Clothing, and Location

Season- If your home’s color palette is centered around airy pastels, consider a spring shoot instead of late fall. The soft greens and naturally lighter colors would be a perfect match to your decor rather than the bright oranges/yellows of autumn.

Spring

Fall

Summer

Winter

Clothes- If you’ve got a funky boho style going on throughout your house, it doesn’t really make sense to go the matching black polos/khakis route.

Location- If you’re living the Joanna Gaines dream, a museum of contemporary art is probably *not* the place to go.

(same day, same shoot, different locations)

(same day, same shoot, different locations)

3. Coordinate Your Crew

Once you’ve decided what season you’re shooting in, taken a look at your home decor, and given a quick thought to where you might want to shoot, half the work is done for your wardrobing!

Head to everyone’s closets and pull out an outfit or two for each person that 1. fits the season, 2. doesn’t clash with your decor (neutrals are usually a good place to start), 3. won’t look out of place at your location- e.g. heels + beaches are not a good idea, and 4. looks nice on them.

4. Final Touches

You should be pretty close by now! If you’re looking at all the outfits together and still feel like the combination is missing something, it’s probably color or texture or both.

They also brought their jackets to layer over everything so we could maximize the texture without a lot of hassle

Add Some Color. While you bring in texture, pull more colors into the mix. If your outfits are leaning really heavily in one color direction you’ll want a few accent colors. There’s no hard and fast rule for this. I’ve photographed lots of beautiful family photos where everyone is wearing grayscale plus 1 accent color on a couple family members. But I’ve also seen families that have a different accent color on almost every person.

Because the purple is so strong, it’s paired well with neutrals. Lots of bright colors in one grouping can sometimes be a little overpowering but this is a great example of how one strong color can make a great statement.

Change It Up. Finally, if it STILL looks a little off, your outfits may be too similar so make little changes to each person. This is especially true for families with multiple boys. Rolling one child’s sleeves, a puffer vest on another, half tucking another’s shirt, etc. However, if you have the option of changing the whole outfit, consider the entire gamut of options- overalls, dresses, skirts, shorts, pants, sweaters, t-shirts, dress shirts, sweater vests, etc.

All 3 brothers are wearing variations of a blue button up, but the subtle variations between them make all the difference

5. Ask Your Photographer

I LOVE when my clients text me pictures of outfit ideas and where they want to display photos in their house. It helps us narrow down where to shoot at and how I can personalize the shoot to them. The more I know, the more I can get the EXACT shots they need. The space over your mantle needs a big canvas print? I’ll focus on making sure we get a really stellar horizontal family photo. You want to make a black and white gallery wall over your couch of cute candids? I’m on it.

The more your photographer knows, the more they can help if you need it!

Hannah always sends me a picture of her family’s outfits before their sessions :)

Not only is it fun to see what she has planned, but it also helps me get an idea of what style she’s going for.

6. go with the flow

While aesthetics matter, the most important factor in great family photos is great attitudes. Don’t stress yourself out trying to find the right accessory or spending hours on Pinterest figuring out what to wear. Staying relaxed and upbeat makes all the difference. It’s a little cliche but happy people really are the prettiest.

It’s no secret that weddings can be expensive, but with a little creative thinking and some tried and true techniques you can have an elegant, magazine worthy wedding to fit any budget.

Simplify- Decide with your fiancé what’s important to the two of you and stick with it. Try not to let lots of other people override your priorities with their opinions. If you want to spend the majority of your budget on good food for your guests or flowers or dj or photographer then that’s your prerogative. You may even want to write out a list of most important to least important so you know where to cut when the budget gets tight. As you’re writing out the list, mark things that you could source from creative places (buying used, borrowed, etc.).

Buy Used- Don’t feel like everything has to be brand new. There are lots of facebook groups where brides buy and sell used wedding items. Items like bubbles/sparklers/biodegradable confetti for sendoffs, random ribbons, linens, even unused wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and veils are all great things to buy used if they aren’t a top priority for you. Go hunt at antique stores and second hand shops for things like veils and jewelry (because have you SEEN how much brand new veils cost?!) Lots of decor pieces can be bought second hand. Grab a basket for the wedding programs for $1 at goodwill and you’re set ;)

Repurpose- Go through your own house and start making a list of things you already have that could be repurposed. Vase for your bouquet at the reception? You probably already have that (or a cute pitcher for it). Ring box? Cake plate? Look around.

Buy Smart- At the end of a season, hit up your craft stores and home decor spots. I’ve found some amazing neutral serving platters after Christmas at Hobby Lobby for $0.50 when they start practically giving their Christmas stock away. Or $1 velvet ribbon at Joanns after the holiday. Just because it’s the end of fall doesn’t mean you can’t find some great ribbon in neutrals for your spring wedding. Download all the store apps and find coupons online.

Borrow- It’s okay to ask close friends if you can borrow items. My recommendation is to make a list of things you’ll need (that aren’t breakable or consumables) and send it to the people you know may have an item or two on the list. The list could look like

small basket for cutlery at buffet table

4 chalkboards for signs at dessert table

little shelf for favors

small wooden table for sweetheart table

21 mismatched neutral colored lanterns for centerpieces

cake knife and server

. . .

After getting permission from a few friends, send the list to each of them and they can respond back with the numbers they can lend you. ( e.g. “yes I have #3, #8, and I have 3 lanterns for #5”) Use little pieces of masking tape with that person’s initials hidden on each item and keep a detailed written list when you receive things so you can quickly return everything after the wedding.

Enlist Friends- Your friends are a huge asset. Don’t overburden any one of them but do utilize their strengths. If you know one friend who has exceptional handwriting, ask them if they would consider addressing your invitations and writing out escort cards as their wedding gift to you, etc. (However, don’t ask your friends who have a business in something you’re doing for the favor!) If you are not hiring a wedding planner, gather a crew of friends to help you on the day before and day of the wedding setting up and decorating. Determine exactly how you want things before you get there. Take a photo of a place setting in the way you’d like it and delegate out to a responsible friend with a creative eye. Ask more friends than you think you’ll need. Be clear on what you want, be flexible with the end product, and be thankful for all the wonderful people surrounding you.

Do Without- You don’t need everything The Knot tells you. You’ve made your list of priorities so just determine what things are superfluous. Save the dates? Favors? Limo? Guestbook? All the little things add up.

Get Creative- No one says your bridesmaids have to carry flowers. Bouquets are expensive (1 bouquet = $100 x 5 bridesmaids is $500 for bridesmaids alone). Clutches, wrist corsages, lanterns, wreaths, faux fur muffs, or nothing at all are totally valid for your bridesmaids. If you’re wondering if there are any other options for any part of your wedding just Google “wedding ______ alternative” (bouquet, dinner, favors, etc.) and there will likely be some idea that works better or sparks an idea for you. Food, venues, and getting ready locations are good places to think creatively.

Don’t Get Sucked in By Things that Seem Cheap- Brides often don’t consider alternate options or don’t do the math on things that seem cheap. A good example of this is flowers. While a table arrangement from a florist is often around $75-$100, it’s not much cheaper to get faux flowers or make your own fresh arrangement with comparable flowers. When you price them out stem by stem, that number gets pretty high for a lot more stress and a final look you may love less. Venues that seem cheap but have a lot of surcharges or make you work with their vendors are similar. Do your homework. Making your own may be more expensive than purchasing the same item.

DIY with Discretion- We’ve all seen the slippery slope that is exclusively DIY weddings. Get creative, think differently, and then ask honest friends for their opinion. Don’t get wrapped up in a project only to realize later that it’s costing you 2x more than it would have to just buy it. Enlist a creative friend to help you work on cake table setups, centerpieces, and styling escort cards. You don’t have to brave this alone!

Avoid Disasters Later by Hiring Quality Vendors- Hire the vendors that you know will do their job well within your priorities. I understand that every wedding site says “hire people just starting out and save tons of money!” but that’s a recipe for disaster. Hire the vendors that you won’t have to babysit through the process, who will be professional, who you can trust to do their job. And do without the vendors that you don’t prioritize. You are paying for professionalism, quality, and their ability to actually do the job so you don’t have to think about it.

Finally- Don’t lose sight of the people that matter. It can be easy to try and trim the budget by foregoing bridal party gifts or take for granted the help you’ve received along the way. Honor your friends and family to the best of your ability with meaningful thank you notes, thoughtful gifts, and offering your help whenever they need an extra set of hands.

So let’s cut right to the chase. I road trip A LOT often by myself for weddings, shoots, and just for kicks (this year alone I’ve made the round-trip drive to NC/SC by myself 4 times + several other long haul and short trips) so I’ve gotten into a little groove and over the past couple years I’ve had friends ask me some general road trip questions so although this has nothing to do with photography, it’s a crucial part of my job and I thought I’d share with other inquisitive minds. These are the methods that work well for me and may be helpful for your next trip.

Niagara Falls, New York 9/18

Food and Water-

My best road trip tip is to keep a case of water in your car at all times. No matter where you go or what you do, you’ll be in a pinch at some point where you need water. Mine case has it’s own basket. My favorite brand is the Aldi brand bottled water.

Don’t pack food that you don’t think you’ll actually eat. Great intentions are all well and good, but if you realistically know you won’t eat the bag of carrot sticks, don’t waste your time, food, or money.

Do bring food. Favorite snacks are grapes or cherries (you kind of have to work to eat them = built in entertainment), white cheese puffs, and a couple lollipops. Remember- you aren’t doing a dang thing all day. You are literally just sitting so it’s better to sit tight with a lollipop than stop every 4 hours for McDonalds.

Salem, North Carolina 11/18

Taking Breaks/Getting Gas-

When you’re driving alone especially, stop when you need to. Leave early enough that you don’t feel stressed getting there on time and then remember that no one says you can’t stop every hour and a half. Don’t force yourself to keep driving if you need to stop and walk around/use the restroom/get sleepy. You’ll get there when you get there.

If you see something interesting on the drive, stop and see it! Some favorite last second “that looks fun!” stops have been the Indianapolis Farmers Market and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Road trips can be a drag or they can be fun. Make them a blast.

Grayson Highlands, Virginia 10/18

Entertainment-

Like I said before- food is a common go-to for keeping busy so make it worthwhile. Cherries, grapes, lollipops, and clementines are where it’s at for me. Other favorites busy road trip foods from friends are- almonds, beef jerky, sugar snap peas, sunflower seeds, gummy bears, goldfish, etc.

Music obviously. I have Spotify premium. It’s the only subscription that I wouldn’t want to do without. Before every trip I’ll download a bunch of albums and playlists in the event I lose service at some point.

Audiobooks. I try to get 3-4 from the library for a long trip in varying genres. One or two that I know I’ll like; a sequel or a new book by a favorite author. One that I’ve been trying to read and have been putting on the back burner. And one that is out of my usual reading zone.

Podcasts. This is the heavy lifter of my road trip entertainment. I go on a download kick the day before I leave and will knock out a couple dozen episodes handily on a trip. Again, go for varying genres and try something new. Podcasts are great because they come in 20-60 minute segments so you don’t have to track for too long. Favorites are- This American Life, Serial, The Message, and Milk Street Radio

Call someone. This is an super time to catch up with all the family members you know you should talk to more often… ;)

Flip through every radio station available. Particularly in mountain states. Listening to radio commercials is a hobby I genuinely enjoy so this may not apply across the board.

Door County, Wisconsin 8/18

Clean/Tidy/Feeling Like a Human-

Baby wipes. They’re in my car at all times since they’re more effective than napkins, especially with cheese puffs and at some point in the trip you’ll probably want to wash your face and baby wipes are a close second

Real talk, you will want mouthwash with you or the little mini toothbrushes or your actual toothbrush, although I do stick to single stall bathrooms with that. There’s probably some unspoken social etiquette that I’m breaking, but 12+ hour road trips? You kinda need to.

Try to stretch before/during/after your trip. Roll your ankles and neck, touch your toes, a few plié squats, and swing your arms around you when you stop for gas.

Keep an extra outfit, shoes, socks, and deodorant super accessible. Should you majorly spill something on yourself or realize that after waking up at 3am you forgot deodorant, you don’t want to sort through your car trunk for them.. just saying

Speaking of clothes- stick with light and soft even in winter. Have a jacket handy when you get out of the car but don’t overdress. My last trip outfit in mid-winter was a long sleeve t-shirt and shorts. You will never see the gas station people again. It’s okay to look a little crazy wearing shorts in December.

Mountain Bridge, South Carolina 2/18

Basic Car Life-

Check everything before you leave. FOR REAL. Check your tire pressure, fill your washer fluid, check your spare, make sure you have all the tools you need to change a spare, make sure you know how to change a spare, check your oil, keep some emergency supplies in your trunk.

Never let your gas drop below a 1/4 tank. This is especially true when you’re alone. Do not be the person stranded in the middle of nowhere and not sure where the next stop will be. Save yourself the panic. Additionally, if you are running on near empty you may have to stop at a place you don’t feel totally comfortable at.

Plan ahead if you can. CLICK HERE - gas price heat map. I’ll often map out where I’ll stop for gas if I know the prices vary drastically by state.

Keep everything you’ll need in reach, especially if you’re alone. Your wallet, water bottles, snack stash, audiobooks, and jacket all belong in your passenger seat and not heavily packaged (take the water bottles out of their case, etc.)

Bring cash with you and keep it in a safe, accessible place. Ideally, enough cash to cover all your gas for the day. Cards can get random holds because you’re out of state, wallets can get misplaced. Don’t get stranded.

Speaking of stranded, call your bank/credit card company if you’re traveling out of state pretty far for the first time or out of the country. It only takes a minute for them to put a note on your account of what states you’ll be traveling through.

Be sure to download driving instructions and maps BEFORE you leave, especially if you’re driving out of the country. Totally forgot I don’t have cell service in Canada and it was a fun couple hours trying to make it from the border to my destination without a GPS or written instructions.

Don’t fully depend on your GPS. Pull out a map/your laptop and look at your full route start to finish. Make sure you’re familiar with what cities you’re passing through/by, even write them on a post-it note for your dash. Know the general direction you need to be going (so from Illinois to North Carolina I am going South/East/South-East) If cell service drops and nothing is downloaded, at least you’ll know what cities to look for and follow on the highways. This is more important than you think. As long as you’re going in the right direction, you won’t lose too much time if you get lost.

Louisville, Kentucky 3/18

Staying Safe-

To all the girls I know- you more safe than you probably think and it’s fairly easy to stay that way.

If something feels a little weird when you pull up to a location, go somewhere else. For real. Don’t overthink it, don’t try to talk yourself into staying, you’re making your solo-road trip rules and the 5 extra minutes it cost you to leave and find a new place is worth it. But in all likelihood, if you stick to decent places you’re okay.

If you think something’s off when you’re walking back to your car, call someone and just talk to them until you get back into your car. Keep your head up, stay alert, but there’s no need to freak out.

While it is unlikely anything will ever happen, keep an eye out behind you when you go to the restroom. There’s no need to freak out but just be sure no one is following you into the restroom that shouldn’t be.

Keep your phone well charged at all times.

Try not to stop if you don’t have cell service and are alone. Another reason why you shouldn’t let your gas get low.

Stay updated with one family member or friend. Pick one reliable person so it doesn’t get confusing. Let them know when you stop and if you have any car problems. This is important for personal safety and car accidents.

Travel with all the phone numbers you may need written out and saved in your car. Yeah you have a cell phone with everyone’s number but keep the important ones on a post-it in your glove box.

Smile, make eye contact with people. Although that’s just a good life rule, it’s a nice way to keep yourself protected. Talk to friendly people in lines paying for gas, wave at kids, make yourself a little seen so that people notice if something goes wrong.

There is no need to be paranoid but stay aware :)

Chicago, Illinois 5/18

FINALLY- if possible, try not to drive through Chicago unless you’re going to Chicago :) The best route through Illinois to nearly anywhere else is straight north/south between Rockford and Bloomington

Let me know if you have any more tips to add! I’m always looking to perfect my road tripping